12th annual GBTI/GTA Open declared open by Minister Ramson Jr.

Jul 25, 2021 Sports

By Calvin Chapman

Kaieteur News – The Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry (GBTI) and the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) has partnered for the 12th consecutive year to host the 2021 Open tournament. On Thursday, the event was officially declared open by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) Charles Ramson Jr. at the GBTI Diamond Branch which will host the competition for the first time in its 12 year history.

Charles Ramaon Jr. opens the tourney with a serve. (Calvin Chapman photo)

From left, Chairman of the NSC Kashif Muhammad, Minister Charles Ramson and GTA President Cristy Campbell with players and executives of the GTA and sponsors GBTI following the opening ceremony on Thursday. (Calvin Chapman photo)

Also present at the opening was Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle along with GTA President Cristy Campbell among others. Ramson opened his remarks by stating that people development is very important at his Ministry and that a lot of his success professionally is due to the values he would’ve gained from his involvement in sport.
He lauded GBTI for their consistent partnership with sport, noting that the nation’s young people need this and encouraged other entities to not neglect their corporate responsibly. In conclusion, the Minister mentioned that although they are developing Courts at the national racquet center, the MCY&S is also looking to develop courts in Linden and Berbice to help decentralise, as will be the case with all core sports.
Marketing Manager of the GBTI, Nadia De Abreau gave GBTI/GTA Open her seal of approval and assured continued partnership, “We reaffirm our support to this tournament and the GTA. The tournament just improves each year with high quality of competition and I’m sure after the end of this tourney, the narrative will be the same.
Former GBTI Open Champion, now President of the GTA; Campbell, in her remarks highlighted that, “The Minister (Ramson Jr.) has moved Tennis into a core sport. We have a brand new facility that is almost complete. He has given tennis the support that was lacking throughout the years and we are grateful.”
She further mentioned that, “GBTI is always supporting us. Whether it be financial support or just using any of their facilities to host tourneys or train. We are very grateful for their support.”
Meanwhile, the Director of Sport in his remarks mentioned that, “We should applaud a relationship that has lasted so long. It is testament to the good work that the GTA has been doing. I’m positive that each participant will learn something from this event so everyone will come out a winner.”
Recently appointed Tournament Director Phillpe Jackson said that, “I expect really good quality in this tournament. But, the task here is trying to develop the youth in tennis and give everyone the opportunity to play and see how far they can go.”
GBTI first partnered with the GLTA in 1989 to 1993 and resumed their support in 2009.

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